Archive for the ‘Exotic Cars’ Category

This is a good day to be in Detroit, especially if you like to go topless.

Porsche unveiled its 2012 911 Carrera Cabriolet today at the Detroit Auto Show, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to creating some of the sleekest, sportiest cars on the road today. Sharing the same updates given to the Carrera and the Carrera S for the new year, this beauty looks fantastic with the top down – as if it were made for the open road on a sunny day. (Which, technically, I guess it was!) The top offers smooth, superbly easy retraction with a touch of a button below the gear selector, but it can also be dropped through the use of the remote key fob. It’s a beauty to behold, but as we all know – even with global warming, that top has to come back up at some point.

And that’s where the Cabriolet truly distinguishes itself. While most convertibles lose their sleekness once the cloth top returns, the Carrera Cabriolet is designed to incorporate the car’s innate sleekness into the design of the convertible top. Gone is the boxy, bulky look that makes us keep those convertibles hidden in cooler months; the sleek new design integrates the look of a hard-top into the easy grace of a lightweight fabric top. In fact, the Cabriolet’s soft-top arch is so well designed that it looks almost as good with the top up as with the top down.

If you really, really like the feel of the wind in your hair, maybe the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport should go straight to the top of your “most wanted” list.

This exotic, orange-and-black supercar has claimed the world title as the fastest production car in the world. How’d they do that? By topping out at an average 268 miles an hour. (Okay, I’m exaggerating. It was actually 267.8 mph. But unless we’re talking about my weight, I’m all for rounding up…)

Bugatti announced the new record on July 4, taking back the title from Shelby Super Cars, which had nabbed the honor when its Ultimate Aero hit an average of 256 mph in back-to-back runs in 2007. Guinness – the World Record folks, not the beer – was on hand to document the event.

So, what does it take for Bugatti to hit those speeds? Just 16 cylinders and four turbochargers. Oh, and in case you’re counting the horses under the hood, there are 1,200 of them. So it definitely has a little more muscle than your neighbor’s Prius.

Next up, there’s good news and bad news. The good news? Bugatti is going to make the Super Sport available to the public later this year. The bad news? Only the first five will have the same kind of features that let this beauty take the world record – and they’re already spoken for. The others will be built to only reach a top speed of about 258 miles. In comparison, that seems like a virtual crawl, doesn’t it?

Alright, ladies – we now officially have something new to lust after. And no, I’m not talking about the latest Taylor Lautner pics.

Instead, the new object of our desire comes from the well-known name of Don Panoz, founder of the Panoz Auto Devolopment Company. In the past, Panoz has brought us such great rides as the Esperante GT and the racetrack-only Panoz GTS. Now, Panoz has raised the bar with the breathtaking Panoz Abruzzi “Spirit of Le Mans.”

The car will be officially unveiled next month at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in France – an event that Panoz won four years ago. As a nod to the revered race, Panoz is producing just 81 Abruzzi models – the same number of Le Mans races since its inception in 1923 until the race in 2013. Each automobile is linked to a specific Le Mans race, with the chassis number also containing that specific race date, the initials of the winning drivers and the history of that year.

Of course, the first thing to catch your eye is the stunning design. While this 600-horsepower front-engine machine looks like it means business, its sleek and sexy design also promises pleasure.

And this limited edition masterpiece isn’t just easy on the eyes, it’s easy on the environment as well. The Abruzzi’s environmental design and construction includes the implementation of the REAMS® – Recyclable Energy Absorbing Matrix System – which marks the first time REAMS has been used on a road-going automobile. The multi-layer composite system is lighter than carbon fiber, but just as strong, and is dent-resistant, shatter-proof and recyclable.

And honestly, isn’t that what we’re all looking for: Something that’s strong, sexy, handles well – and can be recycled when we’re done with it?

Porsche has given us a lot of reasons to love it over the years. But now, the company is taking that love affair to the next level with the launch of its 911 GT3 racecar.

The new GT3, which boasts a unique hybrid technology created specifically for racing, has two electric motors on the front axle. Unlike hybrid daily drivers, which rely on heavy batteries, the 911 GT3 hybrid has an electrical flywheel power generator that sits next to the driver to deliver energy.

As a racecar, the Porsche 911 boasts an enviable racing pedigree that includes more than 20,000 wins, and the introduction of this hybrid at the Geneva Motor Show next month will open a new chapter for the marque.

Even better for us non-helmet wearing drivers is the hope that this technology will eventually make its way into the road-ready sports cars that we love so dearly. A girl can dream, can’t she?

For the well-accessorized woman, nothing beats matching your phone to your car. And Tag Heuer is about to make that easier for Lamborghini enthusiasts.

Later this month, the luxury watch and accessories manufacturer will introduce the limited edition Meridiist Automobili Lamborghini mobile phone. Taking a nod from Lamborghini’s notoriously sleek lines, Tag Heuer has integrated several flourishes that will be noticed by discriminating Lambo lovers. For example, the battery cover bears the same signature that’s found on the engine block of the Lamborghini Murcielago LP 640 V12, and the trademark Taurus bull appears on the keyboard’s central button.

Like the car for which it is made, this phone isn’t just beautiful; it’s made for performance. The display is made from 60.5 carats of scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and the battery life offers seven hours of talk time.

With only 1,963 pieces being sold worldwide – Automobili Lamborghini was founded in 1963 – you don’t want to wait to get yours. Find out more at meridiist.tagheuer.com.

If cars and their owners look alike, then the new Ferrari California should make itself at home in the garage of Kim Kardashian. Because, best as I can tell, both have one pretty significant feature in common. (And no, that feature is not “nice headlights.”)

Ferrari’s newest model, which was first unveiled late last year at the Paris auto show, has raised eyebrows for its very un-Ferrari-like styling. While we’re accustomed to Ferrari’s oh-so-sleek design – you know, the one that makes the cars look fast even when they’re sitting in a garage – the California looks a bit, well, rounder than its predecessors. One might say it’s got some junk in the trunk. Literally.

The unusual (by Enzo Ferrari’s standards, anyway) rear-heavy design was made to accommodate the convertible’s folding hard top – as well as the hydraulic equipment needed to move it up and down. The designers felt the need for a little luggage space back there, too, and while they were at it, they even threw in a back seat. As we all know, it’s impossible to keep packin’ in more goodies without having to let out the seams a bit. And that’s exactly what Ferrari has done.

That’s not to say the prancing pony has been tamed into something that will be lost in the sea of SUVs and Lexuses in the pick-up lane at your kid’s middle school. It’s still a hot little number, with a mid-front V8 and 460 horses under the hood.

So, while it may not have the profile of a racecar, there’s still something appealing about this bubble-butted beauty. If you don’t believe me, hop in, cue Sir Mix-a-Lot and be prepared to enjoy one of Ferrari’s most road-friendly rides.

It’s no secret that I carry a torch for the Mercedes McLaren SLR Roadster – one look at the photo at the top of this blog is really all it takes to uncover that piece of information. While it makes absolutely no sense as a daily driver, it is a stunning piece of workmanship that offers the performance of a race car in the body of a gorgeous sports car.

If you’re torn between buying this car and using your money to do good for others, you’re in luck: As part of its holiday offerings, Saks Fifth Avenue is putting a special edition of the Mercedes SLR up for auction on Thursday. Profits from the auction will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital’s Thanks and Giving Campaign.

This particular model is absolutely one of a kind. The carbon fiber body is finished out in Sienna Pearl metallic paint, and it sports a gorgeous light brown leather interior. Under the hood, you’ll find exactly what you expect of the SLR Roadster – a hand-built supercharged V8 with 617 horsepower for a top speed of 206 mph.

This is one of the last SLR Roadsters that Mercedes will produce, so if you’re in the market for one, you might as well make sure the money is going to a good cause. Starting bid is $529,500 and every penny raised beyond that amount goes directly to St. Jude. Ready to sign up? Go to www.mbusa.com/SLRauction to place your bid. And don’t forget your credit card!

All good things must come to an end, and unfortunately that saying holds true for Bentley.

Bentley has unveiled its final version of the elegant Arnage, which has set the standard for this marque for the past decade. In return for its years of service, the automaker is giving the luxury liner a proper send-off, creating a limited edition run of just 150 cars. The 2009 Bentley Arnage Final Series will be the closest thing to a hybrid you may ever see coming from them – it combines the performance of the “T” with the refined elegance of the “R” to create the perfect marriage of luxury and power.

The 500 horsepower V8 will have a price tag of $224,990 and feature many upgrades to the customary Bentley bells and whistles. In addition to adding polished stainless steel “Final Series” treadplates to the front doors, interior extras include a rear cocktail cabinet with a “Final Series” stainless steel flask and shot glasses, an iPod interface, rear remote control for the infotainment system and a pair of picnic tables offered in your choice of premium unbleached veneers.

To make this last Arnage completely personal, it’s being offered in any of Bentley’s 42 available exterior colors, with 25 interior hide color choices. As the only auto manufacturer in the world who can boast of offering a cabin trimmed entirely with leather hides – including the headlining – Bentley uses nearly 400 pieces of leather for the interior. (The hand-crafted steering wheel along takes up to 16 hours of double stitching.)

Every detail of the elegant Arnage is going to reflect the refined luxury that Bentley has delivered faithfully and flawlessly through the years. This final edition is the best send-off that such a car could hope for, and as a reward for those years of service, these appointments certainly beat a gold watch!

What’s the perfect accessory to go with your Bentley? How about a powerful Ego?

No, we don’t mean that in a bad way!

Bentley Motors has partnered with the luxury electronics retailer, Ego Lifestyle, to create a sleek and unique notebook computer. The Ego for Bentley, which will retail for about $19,800, is a luxury laptop that has many of the same features that makes the Bentley such a delight: It boasts a refined design and is hand-built to ensure perfection in both detail and craftsmanship.

To complete the Bentley tie-in, the interior color options of the lacquered notebook match the car’s most popular exterior colors, while, on the outside, the panels are trimmed with Bentley leather and then finished with Bentley’s cross-over hand-stitching. Even the iconic Bently knurling, found on the interior accents of its cars, is replicated here, with etching on the handle.

Each notebook is designed to the owner’s requests and requirements, which means you get your choice of colors and finishes. Touches such as sliding doors to cover access ports add to the elegant feel of this ergonomically designed notebook. The design doesn’t look like your run-of-the-mill notebook; the clamshell-styled case looks more like an elegant accessory. And, since each notebook is a work of art, it just makes sense that each of these limited edition notebooks are engraved with their own number.

Under the hood, you’ll find a 160 GB hard drive, a 64-bit processor and Microsoft Vista Ultimate software. A dozen dedicated direct access keys make Wi-fi, Bluetooth, a web cam and a handful of other operations quick and easy.

Bentley says the notebook is due to hit the shelves “this fall,” which, accordingly to my calendar, starts today. So better get in line fast – only 250 of these limited edition laptops will be made.